According to a report by Naijauser, supporters of Peter Obi, popularly known as Obidients, used a rally in Abia State to urge former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to step aside for Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The group argued that Obi has the strongest national appeal among opposition figures and is better positioned to challenge the ruling party. They stressed that his rising popularity since the 2023 elections makes him the preferred candidate for millions of Nigerians seeking change.
At the rally, some participants emphasized that deputizing Obi as a running mate or placing him in a secondary role would undermine the momentum already built around his candidacy.
They argued that the 2027 election should reflect regional balance and the yearnings of young Nigerians, many of whom see Obi as the symbol of a new political era. According to them, a united opposition led by Obi would stand a better chance of winning
The call has intensified debates within the opposition over strategy and leadership arrangements. While some stakeholders still advocate for an Atiku-Obi alliance, others believe only Obi as the presidential flagbearer can truly unite the base and attract wider national support.
The Abia rally highlighted growing pressure on Atiku to make way for Obi as the leading face of the opposition in 2027.
